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COMMUNITY OUTREACH
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Under the umbrella of our #CommunityOutreach project we target multiple areas. The primary one being to build trust between law enforcement and the communities where trust is either very low or non existent. Other areas we work on include: promote and participate in community policing, promote and participate in community involvement, promote and participate in community response to emergency and tragic events, and promote and participate in providing the community with accurate information regarding what is going on in the community (this also includes correcting misinformation & mistruths that are being spread). This project is how we came up with our tag line "If it Matters to the Community, It Matters to US!". This is very accurate for us because no matter what is going on, if it matters to the community then it really does matter to us and we will reach out to the community on how we can find solutions together. Because community policing and trust building efforts are such a big part of this project we will mainly focus on those topics here.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DON'T TRUST LAW ENFORCEMENT?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DON'T TRUST LAW ENFORCEMENT?
The Importance of Law Enforcement's Role in Our Society's Well-Being
The Importance of Law Enforcement's Role in Our Society's Well-Being
An author and clinical psychologist by the name of Michael Friedman, Ph.D. who has been studying how psychological processes impact us as individuals and as a society for over 20 years published an article on trust and law enforcement. Here are some of the take aways from taht artlicle
"Recent polls suggest that the majority of Americans do not feel that police are adequately held accountable for their actions, treat racial groups equally or use the right amount of force. This lack of trust undermines the legitimacy of law enforcement and creates an unequal society in which some feel comforted by law enforcement while others feel suspicious and distrustful. Members of the community are more likely to feel safe and cooperate in investigations if they trust law enforcement; thus, it is in the best interest of ALL stakeholders to understand and build trust in law enforcement."
" Research demonstrates that minority groups consistently show less trust in law enforcement. This difference in trust appears to be based on two things. First, minority groups report having more direct negative personal experiences with law enforcement. Further, there is evidence of discrepancies in procedural justice outcomes. Research shows that minority groups are disproportionately incarcerated; as an example, African-Americans comprise 14 percent of drug users but 37 percent of those arrested for drug offenses. Despite the fact that minority groups make up a large percentage of people subjected to "stop and frisk," white people are more likely to have drugs or weapons. "
"One recent meta-analysis of 134 studies found that perceived discrimination has a significant negative effect on both mental and physical health. Perceived discrimination also produces significantly heightened stress responses and is related to participation in unhealthy behaviors and non-participation in healthy behaviors."
SO WHAT CAN WE DO??
SO WHAT CAN WE DO??
"Evidence suggests that if police wear video cameras so that their behavior is recorded, everyone wins; studies suggest that complaints are radically reduced, and in the case of complaints police are exonerated far more often than if no recording existed."
" There is a compelling need for more communication between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. This type of approach includes regular meetings with community leaders and law enforcement. Initial research suggests positive results in involving community leaders with cooperation, even for the smallest infractions."
" There is a compelling need for more communication between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. This type of approach includes regular meetings with community leaders and law enforcement. Initial research suggests positive results in involving community leaders with cooperation, even for the smallest infractions."
Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brick-brick/201409/what-happens-when-we-dont-trust-law-enforcement-0
Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brick-brick/201409/what-happens-when-we-dont-trust-law-enforcement-0
WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN THE IE
WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN THE IE
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
In 2015 we hosted our very first National Night out which is a national program that promotes positive community and police engagement. Most neighborhoods that host NNO events generally already have good relationships with their local law enforcement. This is great but does not necessarily address the neighborhoods that don't. That is why we choose to host our event in a neighborhood that had little to zero in regards to any type of positive relationship. The Chief of Police came out along with the Mayor and city council members. What was unique besides being in an area desperately in need of improved trust building and improved relations was that we had conducted a community survey for those that came out and were handed over to the police present to address on the spot. The community members got to ask the officers some tough questions about the concerns of the neighborhood and their questions were answered with authentic and candid responses. By the end of the evening we had several people wanting to start a neighborhood watch and some of the managers of the apartment complexes decided to work with the Chief to get some video surveillance systems installed. It was a huge success! Trust is not something that can be repaired overnight but it was definitely a good start to what continued to be continuous efforts to improve community and police relations in that neighborhood.
We have partnered with UPD for NNO every year since that first year. We ride with them to the various NNO block parties promoting community policing, starting neighborhood watch programs, and to get out and participate in community events in general.
#FuelForSuccess
#FuelForSuccess
We already spoke in detail about the #FuelForSuccess Anti-Bullying program on the #Anti-Bullying Page but we believe it should be mentioned under our Community Outreach project as well. This program offers direct interaction with elementary aged children and police officers in a very positive encounter. Children at this age are very impressionable and in today's climate of what our children see on t.v., social media, in their neighborhoods, and even in their own homes it is getting harder and harder for our children to have a positive outlook on those in law enforcement. This program counters that because they are directly engaged with the officers in this program. The result of this leaves a lasting impression that stays with them for years. Officer Smith who has been overseeing this program in our area for a good number of years now, has often spoken about running into high school kids that remember him from when he visited their elementary school for a #FuelForSuccess Anti-Bullying event and the stereotypical response of kids in high school today was absent. Instead it was an expression of respect and gratitude which was mutual. This is HUGE!! Addressing this issue NOW for the next generation could be the difference in breaking the cycle!
Candlelight Vigil
Candlelight Vigil
In December 2015 we held a candlelight vigil for the victims of the San Bernardino terrorist attack on December 2nd, 2015. Community members and a few city council members came to show their respect for the victims and their families. That night we met one of the doctors that was working that tragic day at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. He described the scene as patient after patient was brought in and the feeling of despair of what was happening. However, by the end of the night the conversation left us feeling hopeful because after the doctor's initial thoughts of despair he then told us about the survivors he spoke to and their resilience, strength, and courage. It was a night of healing, remembrance, sadness and hope for our community. #NeverForget #SBStrong
Community Meeting
Community Meeting
In response to the terrorist attack in San Bernardino on December 2nd, 2015 we partnered with UPD to hold a community wide meeting to discuss the importance of community unity, neighborhood watch programs, the dad watch program at the elementary schools, how to prepare for El Nino, and an entire section on terrorism and how to be more vigilant. It was a very informative and unifying night!!!
Dog Walker Watch Program
Dog Walker Watch Program
In September of this year we launched our Dog Walker Watch Program and held a training session with Officer Milo in Memorial Park in partnership with the Friends of the Upland Animal Shelter. The program makes average citizens that are out walking their pets like they normally would, into mobile neighborhood watch programs. Officer Milo offers the training on what to look for and what to report while citizens are out and about. It increases communication with citizens and law enforcement and increases positive encounters with police and citizens. We orginally had planned on holding a training session once at the end of Summer and once at the end of Spring. However, Officer Milo said he received such a good response from the public that he thinks we should increase it to once a quarter. So be looking for the next sign up to participate in this awesome program.
#Servolution #InlandEmpire
#Servolution #InlandEmpire
#LadiesOfTheIE #GivingTuesday
#LadiesOfTheIE #GivingTuesday
What You Can Do Right Now!!
What You Can Do Right Now!!
We have participated and supported a number of other events and programs but the ones listed are the ones with most impact on community and police relations. A strong, mutually respecting, and sincere relationship between law enforcement and citizens is imperative in having a truly strong community. Regardless if you are an individual that already has a strong relationship with your local law enforcement or not you should take an interest in doing your part of participating and encouraging community policing in an effort to improve community relations. This issue has an affect on everyone in the community either directly or indirectly. Strong police & citizen relationships for ALL citizens is the foundation of a strong community and requires the whole community to get involved.
One of the necessities to this issue is TRANSPARENCY and CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION to the public from our police departments and elected officials. How the average citizen can help with this is by speaking up and ask what is the current policy on these issues and make suggestions on how to improve or how you can help with this.
Another necessity is ACCOUNTABILITY. This is a bit harder because this does not mean accountability for just our officers but accountability for what we as citizens do also. The next time you have an encounter with an officer write down some notes afterwards.
- Was the encounter positive or negative?
- What could the officer have done to make it a more positive encounter?
- What could YOU have done to make it a more positive encounter?
- Work on your part and at the next community policing event bring your suggestions to the officers after explaining how and why you want to bring your suggestions to their attention.
The more citizens that do this will no doubt have an impact on trust building and strengthening this complex relationship.
All of us can use a dose of accountability in our own actions and the roles we play that either strengthens or weakens our community as a whole regardless of status, title, occupation, officer, citizen, elected officials, students......EVERYONE!
NNO EVENT WITH OFFICER McCOULLOUGH!!
NNO EVENT WITH OFFICER McCOULLOUGH!!
WHAT WE HAVE COMING UP!!
WHAT WE HAVE COMING UP!!
Do's and Dont's of a Traffic Stop Initiative
Do's and Dont's of a Traffic Stop Initiative
We are currently working on drafting an initiative to submit to California State Senator Connie Leyva that would add the do's and don'ts of a traffic stop to the driver's permit process. Our reasoning behind this is pretty simple; when our youth get their driving permit and get pulled over for the first time, they are understandably nervous. Our belief is that many times out of this nervousness as well as lack of information on the subject, that making a simple movement to grab a wallet etc. can be done in a way that can be seen as a threatening move which in reality is innocent. However, if we teach those getting their driving permit what to do and what not to do we can eliminate a lot of unnecessary confusion and false threats which has resulted in some situations to escalate quickly and has been deadly in many circumstances. If we can help eliminate some of these tragic stories with just providing an added element of education to the permitting process then that seems like it would be a win for the whole community. If you have any suggestions for this project or would like to be apart of the process please use the #GiveTime tab to sign up and list this specifically as the project you would like to work on.
Safe Routes
Safe Routes
The City of Rancho Cucamonga has an awesome program called "Safe Routes". One day per school year students, parents, teachers, police officers, public works, city officials. etc. all walk to school together to promote community policing, promote safety while walking to school, and a reminder to those on the roads that our children use these routes to get to school so slow down and be observant. The kids have a great time interacting with the officers and other adults that participate and it is a great way to get the entire community involved. We would like to bring this easy yet effective program to every city in the IE but we need YOUR HELP to make it happen!
Imagine if all the FUNDING, RESOURCES, and MANPOWER was available and accessible for our #CommunityOutreach project how much more effective and efficient we could be....
Imagine if all the FUNDING, RESOURCES, and MANPOWER was available and accessible for our #CommunityOutreach project how much more effective and efficient we could be....
The IMPACT would be HUGE and VISIBLE within the COMMUNITY!
The IMPACT would be HUGE and VISIBLE within the COMMUNITY!
#Servolution #InlandEmpire
#Servolution #InlandEmpire
#LadiesOfTheIE #GivingTuesday
#LadiesOfTheIE #GivingTuesday
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